Hamper supported laundry bag



April 23, 1968 c. E. MURCOTT 3,379,367

HAMPER SUPPORTED LAUNDRY BAG Filed March 14, 1966 ffg. Z. 20 /7 59 7INVENTOR 6HARL5 E. MURCOTT ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,379,367HAMPER SUPPORTED LAUNDRY BAG Charles E. Murcott, Valley Drive, BayCrest, Huntington, N.Y. 11743 Filed Mar. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 534,192Claims. ((31. 23243.2)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hospital laundry bag which is supportedupon a portable hamper in movement of the bag from place to place. Thebag structure has, at the top thereof, a pair of overlapping closureflaps controlling a closure at the top of the bag. Further, a bagstructure, wherein the lower portion of the bag is opened and closed bya reversible closure wall.

Background 0 the invention l) The invention deals with a hampersupported laundry bag, wherein said closure wall forms a closed bottomon the bag in one position of said wall in retaining soiled laundry inthe bag and, wherein, the soiled laundry is discharged by simply movingthe closure wall into another or reverse position on the lower portionof the bag. Further, the invention deals with provision of means on bothend portions of the bag for support of the bag in a hamper in tworeverse positions in the hamper.

(2) While laundry bags have, in open position, been supported uponhampers in hospital uses, to applicants knowledge, laundry bags have notbeen formed with top wall closures for the purposes intended, nor with areversible wall structure, facilitating simple disposal of soiledlaundry collected in the bag and, further, a reverse support of the bagin the hamper. This structural combination is believed to be neW in thisart.

Summary of the invention With the structural combination defined,laundry bags can be quickly and easily coupled and uncoupled withrespect to the hamper and, further, the laundry bag is capable of beingcleaned or sanitized during successive uses of the bag and the onlymetallic parts on the bag are the eyelets used for support of the bag intwo positions on the hamper.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description, when taken together with the accompanyingdrawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosedand, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable referencecharacters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the flap top of a bag madeaccording to my invention, i'lustrating support of the bag upon sidemembers of a hamper frame, wiih part of the construction broken away.

FIG. 2 is a partial diagrammatic perspective view of a collapsibleportable hamper which I employ showing the frame in open position.

FIG. 3 is a view, generally looking in the direction of the arrow 3 ofFIG. 1, showing only the bag structure, with parts of the constructionbroken away and in section, indicating in dot-dash lines open positionof the top closure flaps of the bag and omitting background showing atthe top of the bag.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic detail view of one side portion of a hamperframe illustrating, in part, a multiple support of bags in the frame.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail view, substantially on the line5-5 of FIG. 1, with the hook of a bag supporting member in bag engagingposition and illusice trating, in dotted lines, the normal non-useposition of said member.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic sectional detail view of the lower portion ofthe bag illustrating in dotted lines the closed bottom of the bag, asnoted in FIG. 3, and in full lines the reverse position of the closurewall, leaving the bottom of the bag open for discharge of laundrytherefrom; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic detail view showing one corner portion of thetop of the bag to illustrate more accurately the location of the eyeletfor reception of the hook of the bag supporting member, it beingapparent that the showings in FIGS. 1 and 5 are employed to simplify theillustrations.

Considering FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the drawing and,

particularly, for the moment noting FIG. 2 of the drawing, at 10 isdiagrammatically seen a collapsible portable hamper structure,comprising two generally similar side U-shaped frames 11, includingdepending leg members 12 consituting, in part, sides of the frames 11and lower ends of the leg members 12 will have the conventional rubbertired casters, one only of which is seen at 13. It will be apparent thatthe frames 11 fit one within the other and are pivoted together, one ofthe pivots being diagrammatically seen at 14.

Each frame 11 comprises similar side members 15 having a top horizontalrail 16 and the rails of the members of each frame 11 are joined by acoupling sleeve or tube, as at 17, secured to 16 by bolts or otherfasteners, as diagrammatically seen at 18 in FIG. 1 of the drawing. InFIG. 1, parts of the rails 16 of the two frames 11 are shown.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that each of the U-shaped frames11 are formed from two basic parts, namely the members 15 and the sleeveor tube 17 and the as:emblage of these will produce the combination, asdiagrammatically seen in FIG. 2 of the drawing. Flexible chains 19 arecoupled with the upper portions of the frame to check opening movementof the frames and the linkage of these chains will be such as to controlspacing of the rails 16 to properly engage laundry bags, as laterdescribed, particularly in the taut support of the upper portions of thebag.

Mounted on the top rails of the frames 11 are bag supporting members 20comprising a rounded portion engaging the rail 16, which portion ispreferably covered with a plastic tube, as noted clearly at 21 in FIG. 50f the drawing. The member has a long extending rod 22 which operates asa handle for actuation of the members 20 and the other side of themembers terminate in bag engaging hooks 23, which are normally directedoutwardly with respect to the top of the frames 11, as diagrammaticallyseen in FIG. 2 of the drawing and indicated by the dotted line showingin FIG. 5. To retain the members 20 indefinite position on the rails 16are pairs of pin members 24, note FIG. 1 of the drawing, the members 20being free to rotate and swing slightly on the rails 16 between the pinmembers 24. Here again, the positioning of the members 20 on the rails16 is such as to support a laundry bag in taut position at the top ofthe hamper 10.

Considering FIG. 4 of the drawing. I have shown, in part, at 10 amodified form of lhamper structure which differs from the hamper 10shown in FIG. 2, simply in that the hamper will be constructed tosupport two or more bags and this is accomplished by simply lengtheningthe coupling sleeve or tube, as at 17'. The structure of the members 15'will be identical with the members 15.

At 20 are shown two of the bag supporting members which would becomparable to the members 20 shown in FIG. 2, but at 20" is shown one ofanother pair of members arranged solely upon the sleeve or tube 17' forsupport of a second bag and hampers of the type and kind underconsideration have been constructed for the supfort of four bags.

Turning now to the showing in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7, here isdiagrammatically shown a laundry bag 25, composed of two generallysimilar sides 26 secured together by seams, as indicated at 27 in FIG.1, one of the seams being also illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawing.

The upper edge of the bag has a hem, as seen at 28 in FIGS. 3, and 7,and secured to this hem at corner portions of the bag are eyelets 29,most accurately shown in FIG. 7 for the reception of the hooks 23 of themembers 20. The lower portion of the bag also includes a hem 30, as bestseen in FIG. 6 of the drawing. Secured in the hem 30, at one side of thebag, is a reversible closure wall 31,

cured by' the seams 27. This wall 31, at corner portions of the bag, iscut-away and hemmed, as seen at 33 in FIG. 3 to form a hand opening 34ateach corner for reception of the hand in facilitating quick and easyreversal of the wall 31 from its closed position, as shown in FIG. 3,and indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 6, to its open position as shown,in part, in FIG. 6 in full lines.

Mounted in the lower hem of the bag are four eyelets, alined generallysimilar to the eyelets 29 at the top of the bag, one only of theseeyelets being indicated at 35 in FIG. 3 of the drawing. Considering FIG.3 of the drawing, it will appear that the lower portion 36 of the bag,or that portion including the wall 31, is of greater width than the topportion 37 of the bag.

Secured to the hems 28 at the top of the bag are inner and outer closureflaps 38 and 39 collectively forming an overlapped wide closure portion,diagrammatically seen at 40 in full lines in FIG. 3.

Considering FIG. 1 of the drawing, it will appear that the free edge 39'of the outer flap 39 is of greater length than the edge portion 39, noteFIG. 3, attached to the opposing hem. In other words, the fiap 39 hasthe tapered side secured to the side hems of the bag. It will beapparent that the sides of the inner flap 38 will be correspondinglyformed and no further description in this respect is deemed to benecessary. This structure widens the sides of the bag, asdiagrammatically seen in FIG. 1, but, in actual use and when the top ofthe bag is tensioned between the opposed top rails of the hamper, thehemmed sides will assume a more or less straight position and this willallow both of the flaps to drop downwardly and rest definitely one uponthe other, particularly at the closure portion 40 which is reasonablyclose to the central portion of the top of the bag.

In the insertion of laundry, the upper flap 39 is simply raised, asindicated, in part, in dotted lines in FIG. 3 and the laundry will beinserted into the bag through the opening thus formed, in whichoperation, the lower flap 38 will be depressed, as indicated, in part,in dotted lines in FIG. 3. After the laundry has been inserted, the twofiaps will be moved into the closed positions, as shown in full lines inFIG. 3, thus providing a top closure at all times for the bag, as thebag is moved about from place to place by manipulation of the hamper.This maintains the sanitary conditions which are accomplished bymaintaining a substantially sealed bag, except for the moments ofinsertion of laundry into the bag and minimizes the atmosphericcontamination that normally occurs upon depositing and storing soiledlaundry in an open bag.

As and when a bag becomes filled with soiled laundry, the bag isdetached from the members 20 and then inverted to put the lower portionof the bag containing the wall 31 upwardly. At this time, the wall 31 isin the position shown in FIG. 3 and indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 6.In discharging the soiled laundry, the wall 31 is reversed from theposition shown in full lines in FIG, 3 and in dotted lines in FIG. 6 tothe full line position shown in FIG. 6 which opens the bag and the bagis then reversed in discharging the contents as will be apparent. Thesoiled bag is then laundered and, in this connection, the only metallicparts on the bag would be the eyelets 29 and 35 and it will, thus, beapparent that this laundry operation can be practically performed andthe bag will then be in condition for further use. It will be understoodthat, in attaching the bags to the hamper, the normally depending handlerods 22 are swung into the top portion of the bag, bringing the hooks 23into easy engagement with the eyelets 29 and the rods 22 will extendinto the bag and aid, to some degree, in maintaining the closure flapsin depressed position as indicated, in part, in FIG. 5 of the drawingwherein a portion of the flap 39 is shown. In

detaching the bags, the handle rods 22 are simply swung upwardly and thebag will be quickly and easily released.

The eyelets 35 are employed for support of the bag in connection withthe members 20 in what might be termed a reverse position, wherein thewall 31 will be retained in the open position, shown in full lines inFIG. 6, and the flaps 38 and 39 would then collectively form the bottomof the bag and, in this way, the bag can be used for the conveyance ofclean laundry in delivery from room to room in a hospital. Thus, the baghas two distinct uses. The overlap between flaps 38 and 39, note FIG. 3,is sufficient to provide a bottom wall structure and support in thereverse position of the bag.

In constructing the bag, it will be understood that the width of thefabric sides between the stitchings or seams 27 will be the samethroughout the length of the bag. In this connection, it will beapparent that, in the showing of FIG. 3, the bag has been flattened-out,so as to illustrate the corner portion of the wall 31, as at 33 informing the opening 34. In the other words, when the bag is actually inuse and the top of the bag is supported in the square state, asheretofore mentioned, the rest of the bag, including the bottom portionthereof, will generally conform to this contour, its shape beinggoverned, to a degree, by the positioning of laundry therein. It willalso be apparent that the bag can be constructed in any desiredmaterials and, in some instances, the bags can be composed of aninexpensive plastic material which can be simply discarded, thusdispensing with the laundering of the bag.

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A laundry bag and hamper assemblage comprising a hamper having a pairof frames, including side members coupled by top rails, pairs of bagengaging members movably supported on said top rails, a laundry baghaving at the top thereof pairs of eyelets adapted to receive saidmembers of the rails in detachable support ofthe bag in the hamper, thetop of the bag having a pair of closure flaps including overlappedportions normally forming a seal and closure at the top of the bag, thelower portion of the bag having a reversible wall normally, forming, incombination with the bag structure, a closure for the bottom of the bagin collection of soiled laundry in the bag, and said reversible wallbeing mounted to move into another position on the lower portion of thebag opening said bottom of the bag for discharge of laundry collected inthe bag.

2. An assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said closure flaps havetapered sides facilitating flexing of the flaps in opening the bag andfurther arrangement of overlapped portions of the flaps one upon theother when the bag is supported in the hamper to effect a definiteclosure between engaged portions of the flaps.

3. An assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein the coupling of the toprails of the frame includes coupling sleeves, and said bag engagingmembers including hook portions engaging the eyelets of the bag.

4. An assemblage as defined in claim 3, wherein the end portion of thebag including said reversible wall have pairs of eyelets adapted to beengaged by the hooks of said members in reverse support of the bag insaid hamper.

5. An assemblage as defined in claim 3, wherein the length of saidsleeves will control the number of pairs of members employed on therails and sleeves in support of a plurality of bags in the hamper.

6. An assemblage as defined in claim 3, wherein the hook portions ofsaid bag engaging members are directed outwardly with respect to therails of the hamper, and said bag engaging members including handle rodsfacilitating operation of said members.

7. A laundry bag of the character defined comprising upper and lowerportions having hemmed edges, the upper portion of the bag having a pairof flaps, the liaps overlap ing one with respect to the other in forminga substantially wide closure portion between said flaps, the bottom ofthe bag being open, reversible means forming in one position a closurefor the bottom of the bag for support of laundry delivered to the bagbetween said flaps, said last named means being moved to anotherposition on the lower portion of the bag to open the bag in discharge oflaundry delivered to the bag, and the hem at the upper end of the baghaving spaced means for support of the bag in connection with a hamper.

8. A laundry bag as defined in claim 7, wherein the hem at the lowerportion of the bag includes spaced means for reverse support of the bagin a hamper.

9. A laundry bag as defined in claim 7, wherein overlapped portions ofsaid flaps are of greater dimensions than the end portions of the flapsopposed to said overlapped portions.

10. A laundry bag as defined in claim 8, wherein the top portion of thebag is generally rectangular in form when in suported position, and saidfirst named spaced means being disposed at corner portions of saidrectangular form.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 981,639 1/1911 Hall 248 1001,330,681 2/1920 Campen 248100 1,376,660 5/1921 Ward 248100 2,401,9696/1946 Schlank 248100 2,432,845 12/1947 Wing 150-48 2,495,505 1/1950Bella 232-435 2,703,426 3/1955 Barkl 229-62.5 3,000,416 9/1961 Lindegren150-49 FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner.

BOBBY R. GAY, Examiner.

